Drill – A series of counterattacks that are practiced in order. See “Dagger Disarm Flowdrill”, “First (Sword) Drill” and “Second (Sword) Drill”.

Fendenti blow – A cleaving blow with the sword (directed downwards). Often starts from the posta di donna -guard. [Post]

Fiore dei Liberi – An Italian master of arms who lived around 1350-1410. The basic swordsmanship courses I’m taking are all based on his manuscripts on martial arts.

First Remedy Master of the Dagger – The remedy to a mandritto or fendente attack with a dagger. Defendant takes a dicressere back and extends his arm (posta longa). [Post]

First (Sword) Drill – Attacker starts in posta di donna, the defender in porta di ferro. Attack is mandritto fendente[Post1], the remedy is a parry (posta frontale) with a step off the strada and a mandritto fendente over the opponent’s arm. [Post2] Counter-remedy is to pass through the parry and strike with the pommel. [Post3] Counter-counter-remedy is to lift the pommel while shielding yourself, pushing the opponent’s sword away and to then strike.

Guard – Different positions that emerge within attacks or defences. The blows create the guards, not the other way around. Please see: [Post]

Longsword – A European sword used in the late medieval period. Also known as a “bastard-sword”. Wielded typically with two hands. Image.

Mandritto fendente – “Forehand cleaving blow”, a simple blow with the sword usually from the enemy’s left shoulder to his right knee. [Post 1][Post 2]

Riverso fendente – “Backhand cleaving blow”, a simple blow with the sword usually from the enemy’s right shoulder to his left knee. [Post]

Rondel dagger – A common dagger of the late medieval period. Effective against armoured opponents. Usually long and slim with a tapering needle point. Image.

Second (Sword) Drill – Attacker starts in posta di donna, the defender in dente di cinghiaro. Attack is mandritto fendente, the remedy is a sottani blow that hits the attacker’s sword away and a small acressere forward and off the strada followed by a mandritto fendente. [Post1] The counter-remedy and counter-counter-remedy descriptions will be added when the posts air.

Sottani blow – A blow with the sword identical to a fendenti one, except that it goes up instead of down. Often starts either from the porta di ferro or dente di cinghiaro -guards. [Post]

Strada – Translates roughly into “way” or “road”. The straight line between two combatants. Attacks usually follow this line and can be evaded or weakened by stepping off it. [Post]